For those of us who were around the ‘Am-Dram’ scene in Wellington in the 1990s and early 2000s, Keith Rowland will be remembered with great affection.

Keith was the larger-than-life Pantomime Dame, gracing the Wellesley stage in ten of the productions I directed, contributing to our winning formula, clearing up cup after cup – himself winning Dame of the Year awards at least five times, if my memory serves my correctly.

He was a consummate Dame – always playing the part as a ‘man in a dress’ with great skill. He modelled himself on Les Dawson’s famous Dame persona and his greatest talent was his rapport with the audience. He always looked as if he was thoroughly enjoying the performance, but that was his trick – I know just how much work he put into it. A master of his craft.

Keith also took part in many of the Civic Players productions, his timing as a comic actor was excellent. He was very serious about his comedy – when he was supposed to go into the swimming pool and return on stage in ‘Surprise Package’, performed at the Arts Centre, he did – every performance and dripped everywhere!

On the administration side of Wellington Arts Association, Keith was treasurer for a number of years.

He was the brains behind ‘Genesis’. He came to me, as association chairman, and floated the idea of forming a junior group with the aim of feeding the members into the main groups as they matured.

He had developed a draft constitution, many ideas for projects, a list of helpers and criteria for membership. He sold it to me and the other members of the management committee, and the rest is history.

For the first few Genesis seasons Keith more or less ran the whole she-bang on his own – and now look where we are! All initially thanks to a very funny man who was at his best with bright red cheeks, a blonde wig, Dr Martens boots, a colourful dress, and a nod and a wink!

RIP Keith Rowland.

GEOFF CROSS